GENETIC RESOURCES OF SILK PRODUCING NON-MULBERRY PLANTS

Abstract

India grows all known commercial varieties of silk viz. mulberry, tasar, muga
and eri. The tasar, muga and eri come under the non-mulberry sector and contribute
a lot in the national economy. The three commercial non-mulberry silkworms are
polyphagous and feed on the leaves ofmany plants. Recognising the importance of
natural resources and their future utilisation in genetic improvement, various
agencies are collecting germplasm. Due to devastating deforestation, the useful
genetic resources of non mulberry food plants are being depleted very fast. If the
timely efforts are not made, some of the most useful plants will be extinct in near
future. In view of above facts, it is necessary to undertake genetic resource survey
(exploration/collection), conservation and evaluation offood plants oftasar, eri-and
muga silkworms in India for protection as well as utilisation of valuable geneswith
a view to bring about further improvement in these food plants